The New York State Archives holds numerous records relating to individuals incarcerated in New York State correctional facilities (formerly prisons and reformatories). The prison records in the Archives are far from complete and indexing of those records is an ongoing process. The New York State Archives acquired only a two per cent sample of case files of incarcerated individuals released between 1956 and 1996, and currently only receives records of individuals categorized under specific felony and central monitoring classes: Class A-1, CMC A status; Arson (1st, 2nd); Kidnapping (1st, 2nd); Conspiracy (1st); Coercion (CMC A, class D only). For information about and help accessing prison records in the Archives, consult the “Prisons” Research Topics page. Access to an incarcerated individual’s record is governed by the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and certain documents may be restricted. The NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision maintains a searchable online database of currently incarcerated individuals and those recently released.
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The New York State Archives is part of the Office of Cultural Education, an office of the New York State Education Department.